CIS First Deputy Secretary General: SCO applied for CIS observer status
The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) has submitted an application to become an observer in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) — as noted by CIS First Deputy Secretary General Igor Petrishenko on the sidelines of the plenary session of the international scientific and practical conference, entitled Formation of the Legal Culture of the Population as a Factor of Harmonisation and Sustainability of the Electoral Process, sb.by reports
Mr. Petrishenko highlighted that it is a great honour for the CIS Executive Committee to host the 2nd International Electoral Forum at its headquarters, an event initiated by Belarus’ Central Election Commission.
“For nearly twenty-five years, the CIS mission has been successfully carrying out international election monitoring. It was the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus in 2001 to form a CIS mission to impartially observe elections and provide the public in the respective countries with accurate information about the election results and the process. This is a crucial aspect, as it ensures that all citizens participating in the election campaign receive objective information,” Mr. Petrishenko pointed out.
The CIS First Deputy Secretary General pointed out that 131 electoral processes were observed during the CIS mission’s period of activity. Over 23,500 CIS experts participated in this work. Mr. Petrishenko emphasised that the formation of the CIS mission is conducted openly and transparently, strictly following the legal framework established by the relevant convention. Unlike other missions, such as the OSCE/ODIHR, which operate under unclear rules, the CIS mission monitors elections based on an international legal agreement — a convention ratified by all CIS member states.
“We adhere to clear rules. For example, the final report is not prepared based on prearranged templates designed to cast the election results and progress in a negative light, as some attempt to do. The CIS mission functions according to specific timelines mandated by the convention. Moreover, the mission does not interfere in the internal affairs of the country but carries out transparent and impartial monitoring of every stage of the electoral process,” Mr. Petrishenko added.
Mr. Petrishenko underlined that the CIS observer mission had been invited to oversee the early parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan. The CIS observer mission is currently being actively organised to conduct transparent and comprehensible monitoring and to inform the people of Kyrgyzstan about the election outcomes.
“I would also like to highlight that we are actively fostering international co-operation within the CIS with other organisations, including the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, the Organisation of Turkic States, and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation. We also exchange our expertise in election observation. In a few days, the CIS Heads of State Council will convene to consider a decision regarding the CIS+ format, which aims to expand our organisation’s co-operation with other international entities and countries.”
The CIS First Deputy Secretary General also emphasised that the SCO had applied to become an observer in the CIS.
“This will broaden our range of co-operation and experience sharing, enabling us to exchange best practices,” Mr. Petrishenko summed up.
